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Updated April 15, 2021
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
The United States developed the Caribbean Basin Security
FY2021, the Administration requested $32 million for the
Initiative (CBSI), a regional U.S. foreign assistance
CBSI, an cut of almost 47% from that appropriated in
program, in 2009 through a process of dialogue with
FY2020; Congress appropriated not less than $74.8 million
Caribbean countries. The initiative seeks to reduce illicit
for the CBSI in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
trafficking in the region, advance public safety and security,
(P.L. 116-260, Explanatory Statement, Division K).
and promote social justice. Because of their geographic
location, many Caribbean nations are vulnerable to being
In other 116th Congress legislative action, the conference
used as transit countries for illicit drugs from South
report to the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act
America destined for the U.S. and European markets.
(H.Rept. 116-617 to P.L. 116-283) states that enhancing
Strengthened U.S. counternarcotics cooperation with
partnerships between the United States and Caribbean
Mexico and Central America—through the Mérida
nations is in the U.S. strategic interest and that the United
Initiative and the Central America Regional Security
States should pursue opportunities to strengthen
Initiative (CARSI)—led U.S. policymakers to anticipate a
engagement in the Caribbean consistent with the objections
potential increase in narcotics trafficking through the
of the 2018 National Defense Strategy and the State
Caribbean. Many Caribbean countries have also suffered
Department’s Caribbean 2020 strategy. In November 2020,
high rates of violent crime, including murder, often
the House approved H.R. 7703, the Caribbean Basin
associated with drug trafficking activities.
Security Initiative Authorization Act, but the Senate did not
consider the measure. The bill would have authorized $74.8
President Obama announced the initiative at the fifth
million for the CBSI for each year from FY2021 through
Summit of the Americas in 2009. U.S. and Caribbean
FY2025, including monitoring and reporting requirements
representatives held follow-up meetings and, in 2010, an
for the CBSI.
inaugural Caribbean-U.S. Security Cooperation Dialogue,
which approved a declaration of principles, a framework for
Coordinated by the State Department’s Bureau of Western
engagement, and a broad action plan. In October 2020,
Hemisphere affairs and implemented largely by the State
Caribbean and U.S. officials held the ninth dialogue
Department, USAID, and the Department of Defense, the
virtually, with theme of strengthening regional coordination
CBSI has targeted U.S. assistance in five areas:
to address shared security challenges.
Maritime and Aerial Security Cooperation,
In June 2017, the State Department released a U.S. strategy
including assistance to strengthen Caribbean
for engagement in the Caribbean (required by P.L. 114-291,
maritime and aerial operations capability, improve
the United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of
radar coverage, and sustain those capabilities;
2016). Among the priorities for engagement is security,
Law Enforcement Capacity Building, including
with the objectives of strengthening mutual national
assistance to improve law enforcement though
security and advancing citizens’ safety through programs to
police professionalization, anti-corruption training,
dismantle criminal and terrorist organizations, curb the
and community-based policing;
trafficking of illicit goods and people, strengthen the rule of
Border/Port Security and Firearms
law, and counter vulnerability to terrorist threats—all
Interdiction, including support to improve
efforts central to the CBSI.
capacity to intercept smuggled narcotics, weapons,
bulk cash, and other contraband at airports and
Congress has supported funding for the CBSI. From
seaports;
FY2010 through FY2021, Congress appropriated $751
million for the CBSI, benefiting 13 Caribbean countries—
Justice Sector Reform, including support to
Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica,
increase the efficacy of prosecutors and criminal
the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St.
courts and reform and strengthen juvenile justice
Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
systems; and
Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago (see Table 1 and
Crime Prevention and At-Risk Youth, including
Figure 1).
assistance to populations vulnerable to being
victims of crime or at risk of recruitment into
From FY2018-FY2021, Congress did not approve Trump
criminal organizations.
Administration budget requests that would have cut CBSI
funding significantly. For FY2020, the Administration
Although the State Department has not published CBSI
requested $40.2 million for the CBSI, but Congress
funding statistics by country, a February 2019 U.S.
appropriated not less than $60 million for FY2020 in the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) report shows
Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-
that from FY2010 through FY2018, the Dominican
94, H.R. 1865, Explanatory Statement, Division G). For
Republic received almost 23% of CBSI funding, Jamaica
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Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
just over 19%, 24% went to seven Eastern Caribbean
countries, and 21% was for region-wide activities.
Figure 1. Caribbean Countries Receiving CBSI Assistance
Source: Congressional Research Service.
Notes: Belize receives assistance under CARSI. Haiti receives security-related U.S. bilateral assistance.
Table 1. CBSI Funding By Foreign Aid Account, FY2010-FY2021 (U.S. $ millions)
Fiscal Year
ESF
DA
INCLE
NADR
FMF
Total
FY2010
14.000
6.000
27.300
—
14.500
61.800
FY2011
17.000
—
37.500
6.400
16.500
77.400
FY2012
17.000
—
30.000
2.000
15.000
64.000
FY2013
18.802
—
30.000
2.000
9.494
60.296
FY2014
29.200
—
25.000
1.800
7.500
63.500
FY2015
27.000
—
25.000
1.500
5.000
58.500
FY2016
25.000
—
25.221
—
7.500
57.721
FY2017
25.000
—
25.200
—
7.500
57.700
FY2018
25.000
—
25.200
—
7.500
57.700
FY2019
25.250
—
25.250
—
7.500
58.000
FY2020 (est.)
27.300
—
25.200
—
7.500
60.000
FY2021 (est.)
32.300
—
35.000
—
7.500
74.800
Total
282.852
6.000
335.871
13.700
112.994
751.417
Sources: U.S. Department of State, Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations, Annex: Regional Perspectives, FY2012 to
FY2021; Explanatory Statement (Division K) to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, P.L. 115-141; Conference Report to the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (H.Rept. 116-9 to P.L. 116-6); Explanatory Statement (Division G) to the Further Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-94); Explanatory Statement (Division K) to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260).
Notes: ESF = Economic Support Fund; DA = Development Assistance; INCLE = International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement; NADR
= Nonproliferation, Anti-Terrorism, De-mining and Related Programs; and FMF = Foreign Military Financing.
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
Mark P. Sullivan, Specialist in Latin American Affairs
IF10789
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